Incumbent Swapo regional coordinator in Omaheke Ruth Kaukuata-Mbura and the region’s information and mobilisation officer Ebben Handura, are the only two candidates to contest the party’s top post, New Era has learned.
Swapo has embarked on the renewal mandate for regional positions. Recently, the //Kharas Swapo conference re-elected coordinator Matheus Mumbala.
Mumbala garnered 40 votes for the position of regional coordinator, securing him a third term in office.
His challengers were George Pieters (23), Samuehl Jacobs (two) and Helena Eelu (one). Meanwhile, Irene Laberloth (45 votes) will be the new regional information and mobilisation officer, while Margaret Basson received 21 votes.
Vicentius! Goraseb was elected as the party’s regional treasurer above incumbent Jimms Christiaans and contester Rauna Namukwambi.
The Omaheke election is scheduled to take place at the party’s headquarters during the weekend of 5 to 7 August in Gobabis.
Kaukuata-Mbura is seeking a second term. Before taking over the Swapo top position in the Omaheke region, Kaukuata-Mbura served as the Epukiro constituency councillor while Handura served as the party district coordinator for Epukiro as well as the Omaheke secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL).
New Era understands Raphael Mokhaleng, Gideon Kavari, Ronnie Hengari and Crooks Nunuheb are vying for the treasurer position while Kaurumbua Ndjavera and Liberius Kalili are vying for the information and mobilisation post. The party regional executive is expected to confirm those contesting.
Swapo central committee member Tobie Aupindi recently warned against politics of division and tribalism.
He told regional delegates at the party’s //Kharas ordinary conference they should elect leaders who will best look into the hopes and aspirations of the electorate.
“We need comrades who are prepared to risk it all for the benefit of our people,” said the member of the Swapo political bureau. He said the party’s challenge today is the need to embrace the future whilst honouring its historic and glorious past.
He also expressed concern that Swapo lost four constituencies during the last regional council elections and, therefore, needed to up its game to return to its past glories.
– ktjitemisa@nepc.com.na